Twitter
FAQ
Contact RWF
Back to the Robin Williams Fansite Home
General Information
Poster for Jakob the Liar
Directed by
Peter Kassovitz

Based on the novel by
Jurek Becker

Screenplay by
Peter Kassovitz and Didier Decoin

Music Composed by
Edward Shearmur

Theatrical Release Date
September 24, 1999

DVD Release Date
March 21, 2000

Production Companies
Blue Wolf Productions, Kasso Inc. Productions, Tristar Productions

Distribution Company
Columbia Pictures

Summary

During World War II in Nazi-occupied Poland, poor Jewish café owner Jakob Heym accidentally overhears a forbidden radio news bulletin signaling Soviet military successes against German forces. To fight the incredible depression and suicide rate throughout the ghetto, Jakob relates fictitious news bulletins about Allied advances against the Nazis. These lies keep hope and humor alive among the ghetto's inhabitants. The Germans learn of the mythical radio, however, and begin a search for the resistance hero who dares to operate it.

Quotes

Jakob
Yesterday, Churchill addressed the Polish people.
Prisoner
In Polish?
Jakob
You want the news or don't you?

Lina
The Russians aren't coming, are they?
Jakob
Would I lie to you about something like that?

Photo Gallery
Main Cast

Robin Williams
Jakob Heym

Hannah Taylor-Gordon
Lina Kronstein

Bob Balaban
Kowalsky

Alan Arkin
Max Frankfuther

Michael Jeter
Avron

Jamos Gosztonyi
Samuel

Liev Schreiber
Mischa

Armin Mueller-Stahl
Kirschbaum

Taglines

When all hope was lost, he invented it.

He will make you believe.

Filming Info

Dates
October 12, 1997 - December 19, 1997

Locations
Budapest, Hungary
Lodz, Poland
Piotrkow, Poland

International Release Dates

Canada
September 16, 1999 (Toronto Film Festival)

Taiwan
October 16, 1999

France
October 20, 1999

Germany
Switzerland
October 28, 1999

Australia
November 4, 1999

UK
November 5, 1999

Austria
Spain
November 12, 1999

Italy
Norway
November 19, 1999

Argentina
November 25, 1999

Japan
December 4, 1999

Malta
January 5, 2000

Malaysia
January 6, 2000

Netherlands
February 3, 2000

Poland
February 11, 2000

Hungary
April 13, 2000 (video premiere)

Iceland
May 3, 2000 (video premiere)

South Korea
September 23, 2000

International Titles

Austria / Germany
Jakob der Lügner

Spain
Ilusiones de un mentiroso
Illusions d'un mentider (Catalan title)

Finland
Jakob - Valehtelija

Italy
Jakob il bugiardo

France
Jakob le menteur

Romania
Jakob mincinosul

Brazil
Um Sinal de Esperança

Colombia
Una señal de esperanza (cable TV title)

Israel
Yakov Ha-Shakran

Media Availability

This title is available on:

DVD
Video
Book
Poster 1
Poster 2
Fun Fact

Robin was also the executive producer of this film.

Box Office Details

Budget
$45,000,000

Gross
$4,956,401 (USA)
N/A (international)
$4,956,401 (total)

Opening Weekend
$2,056,647 (1,200 theaters)

Widest Release
1,200 theaters

Awards

Razzie Awards
Nom - 2000 - Worst Actor (Robin Williams)